The Effect of GSM Electromagnetic Field Exposure on the Waking Electroencephalogram: Methodological Influences

Abstract

Although there is consistent evidence that exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) increases the spontaneous resting alpha spectral power of the electroencephalogram (EEG), the reliability of this evidence is uncertain as some studies have also failed to observe this effect. The present study aimed to determine whether the effect of RF-EMF exposure on EEG alpha power depends on whether EEG is derived from eyes open or closed conditions and assessed earlier (<5-min) versus later (>25-min) in the exposure interval. Thirty-six adults participated in three experimental sessions, each involving one exposure: "Sham," "Low," and "High" RF-EMF corresponding to peak spatial specific absorption rates averaged over 10 g of 0, 1, and 2 W/kg, respectively. Resting EEG was recorded at baseline (no exposure), during, and after exposure. Alpha power increase was found to be greater for the eyes open than eyes closed EEG during both the High (P = 0.04) and Low (P = 0.04) RF-EMF exposures. There was also a trend toward it being larger at the end, versus the start of the "High" 30-min exposure (P < 0.01; eyes open condition). This suggests that the use of eyes closed conditions, and insufficient RF-EMF exposure durations, are likely explanations for the failure of some studies to detect an RF-EMF exposure-related increase in alpha power, as such methodological choices decrease signal-to-noise ratios and increase type II error.

Effects of mobile phone electromagnetic fields on brain waves in healthy volunteers

“…In our paper we replicated the finding that EMF effects are difficult to capture in the eyes closed state 11 , 25 . Apparently, the brain is more sensitive to EMF when the eyes are open.…”

“…At 217 Hz, a signal is present in the RF on case, but it does not change the signal in the biological relevant range in any significant manner. Previously, others have argued that the absence of an EMF effect in the eyes closed condition also contradicts the presence of electrical interference 25 , since one would expect the latter to be present in both conditions. Furthermore, the utilization of active electrodes in our setup is anticipated to effectively mitigate artifacts commonly introduced into the leads between the electrode and the EEG amplifier.…”

“…In our study, we chose to expose participants to both sham and RF conditions within a single session in a counterbalanced fashion. Alternatively, some studies have implemented counterbalancing over two or more sessions to avoid carryover effects 11 , 25 . But this approach may come at the cost of introducing additional variation between the sham and RF on conditions, making it more difficult to detect the actual EMF effect.…”

In Vivo Functional Ultrasound (fUS) Real‐Time Imaging and Dosimetry of Mice Brain Under Radiofrequency Exposure

“…mobile phone in the proximity of the head, the central nervous system (CNS) is considered the primary target of electromagnetic (EM) waves emitted by portable devices. The widespread use of mobile phones and wireless communication systems has stimulated a large number of epidemiological and behavioral studies, supported by in vivo and in vitro experiments, concerning the interaction of radiofrequency (RF) with brain and neuronal activity [Moretti et al, 2013; Collin et al, 2016; El Khoueiry et al, 2018; Wallace and Selmaoui, 2019; Halgamuge et al, 2020; Dalecki et al, 2021].…”